Gas element for converting the energy of combustible or other suitable reducing substances to electric current.



5N0. 885,054; PATENTED APR. 21,1908.

' B.- W. JUNGNBR, GAS ELEMENT FOROONVERTING THE ENERGY OP GOMBUSTIBLE OR OTHER SUITABLE REDUCING SUBSTANGBS T0 ELECTRIC CURRENT.

APPLIOATION IILBDMAY 15, 1907.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

' ERNST WALDEMAR JUNGNER, OF KNEIPPBADEN, NORRKGPING, SWEDEN.

GAS ELEMENT F OR CONVERTING THE ENERGY OF COMBUSTIBLE OR OTHER SUITABLE REDUCING SUBSTANCES TO ELECTRIC CURRENT, I

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ERNST WALDEMAR JunoNER, a sub'ect of the Kin residingat Kneippbaden, Norrlioping, Sweden, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Gas Elements for Converting the Energy of Combustible or other .Suitable Reducing Substances to Electric tion.

The present invention has reference to an apparatus for converting the caloric energy the reaction:

z+0+ Q 7H2 O4 into electrical energy for the urpose of enabling the re-formation ofsul urous acid b means of the subsequent reduction of the su furic acid by means of carbon or other suitable reducing substance according to the 7 following reaction n so, o 00 +2so 211,0

and thus the energy ofthe carbon be directly converted into'useful electrical energy.

As one pole of galvanic elements with air asa dcpolarizer, it has previously been su gested that, among other reducing gases su inrous acid be used, but, as far as I have; found, not used in such a manner that a c *clic conversion of the energy of combustib e materials has been either intended or attained.

The drawing illustrates an apparatus adapted for this-purpose.-

A vessel B of earthenware or other suitable material is divided into two separate compartments by means ,of a porous, non-conducting plate P for examp e of burnt clay. The plate is fastened to the walls of the vessel by means of a suitable cement, for example of linseed oil and minium.

In both comp)artments plates D and A of conducting car on are inserted, preferably of graphite or of'a suitable metal, .of which plates the former, D, is intended as inactive conductor for the oxidizing electrode, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

} Application filed Hay15, 3.507. Serial No. 373,799.

v of Sweden, 1

be united, as shown on the drawin Patented A rn21, 1908.

latter, A, as inactive conductor for,- ,the ,re-

ducingelectrode. packed small pieces'G of porous, electrically conducting carbon, advantageously of porous graphite, which are moistened with a solution of nitrosyl-su'lfuric acid in sulfuric acid of high concentration. Oncach side of the plate A are also packed smaller ieces 7c, of orous, conducting carbonf-Mhic' are here, o'wever, saturated with concentrated sulfuric acid only and preferably consist 'of amorphous, conducting carbon, for instance of porous coke or gas-coal. The carbonpieces are chosen of the smallest size possile, in order to attain the largest surface possible due regard, however, being taken that the s aces between them are not able to retain t e electrolyte produced durin the eneration of current so that the said e ectro 'yte can flow down to the bottom of the vessel by gravity. The porous division-wall is also saturated with sulfuricacid.

Through the cover L which closes the vessel as Well as separates the two compart ments gas-tight, pass the conductors A and D as well as the inlet and outlet-pipes R and r; By means of these 'ipes the gases may be conducted through t ie layers of carbonpieces, in the manner illustrated on the drawing. A number of such elements may If a current of air be conducte through the pipes R and a current of moistened sulfurous acid through the pipes r and if the poles of the battery be connected by means of a suitable resistance, aconstant electric current is obtained, passing outside the battery from D to A. The following reactions then occur:

o s gffliftion whereafter, in presence of air the reaction: 211 80,, 2N0 O 2SO NH H O immediately occurs. From this it is evident, that the final result is a union of sulfurous acid, oxygen and water to form sulfuric acid while the other reacting substances remain unchanged. The sulfuric acid is obviously Around the 'plat' D' are "stance as for example, coal,

v throng with a lower per cent. of

i place during formed at the pieces of colic around A and runs to the bottom ofthc vessel, where it throughvalve ma gradually be drawnoft groin the sulfuric acid forms sulfurous roduced by heating it with a combustible s ubcoke, charcoal, shavings, saw-dust or the like. .Other suit-- able reduc' substances may obviously also be employ l d I On account of the influence of difiusion the acid drawn oii will evidently contain nitrosyl-sulfuric acid and nitric oxid will be formed on-account thereof upon its reduction with carbon. Said oxid may suitably be taken 11 in' a solution of ferroussulfate andfrom t ere bymcans of slight heating driven into the current of ox 'gen passing h the battery, where y nitrosylsulfimc acid is re 'formed. I

The carbonic acid accompanying the sulfurous acid cell and ought therefore to be drawn ofi now and then. Other impurities, such as hydrogen hydric sulfid, carbonic oxid, hydro carbon and such like act similarly to the sulfurous aci to generate current.

The reaction obviously taking absorption of water, thermochemically more strongly united to acids of highmoncentration than to acids sulfuric acid and the degree of heat of the solution of the nitrosyll l the following 5 out 'c acid in so (1 acid increased considerably with the increasin centration of the latter. T e value of the tension of the energy in the element now described, is considerably dependent on the degree of concentration of the sulfuric acid It varies from 0.5, volt at a medium concentuition to 0.3 volt or less at a higher-concendegree of contration.

I If the sulfuric acid contain too much water reaction will spontaneously occur on account of the difitlSlODi zsogNH 80,, 2H,@ aH' so, 2N0

which takes place without generation of current and this implies a loss of ener unnecessary waste of suliurous acid. With a highl concentrated sulfuric acid no reaction ta es place between the suiiurous acid.

acid excepting in oxygen and thus not witha corresponding generation of current. ally, sulfuric acid containing a large percent. of water cannot generally, as is wed known, he used for the production ofsulfurous acid with reducing substancemwithout a and the nitrosyl-sulfuric the presence. 0

stance. dently also be used, as for instance, combusis gradually collected in the last act reducingly and rewhich is duction to sulfurous acid by and an sas es previous concentration. The selectionoi dc gree of concentration of the acid thus depends upon the importance attached to the accurate utilisation of the energy of the carbon in A, on .to the-cost and space occupied by the battery, the quality of the substance desired for the reduction of the sulfuric acid and such like.

I have found it advantageous to use an acid of about 80% H 80 It is evidently much cheaper to start larger batteries of the kind herein described by employing other crude materials for the production of sulfurous acid, than the reduction of sulfuric acid by means of a reducing sub- Other known methods may evition of sulfur, roastin of sulfur bearing mineral, reduction of su fates with carbon and such like.

The air admitted to the battery may in any known manner he made richer 1n oxy on for instance, by filtration through a rub or membrane or the like.

' I claim:

1'. A galvanic gas element producing sulfuric acid comprising sulfurous acid, a suitable reducin' substance and oxygen as a generating me him, and an electrolyte of sulfuric acid of such concentration as to be capable of reduction to 'sulfurous' acid -byreducing agents. 7

2. A alvanic gas element producin sulfuric acid, comprising-sulfurous acid pro uced from sulfuric acid, carbon as a reducing substance, oxygen as a generating medium and an electro yte consistin of sulfuric acid of such concentration capalile of being reduced to sulfurous acid by reducing substances.

3. A galvanic gas element producing sulfuric acid, comprising sulfurous acid, carbon as a reducin substance, and oxygenas a on- 'erating med lm, and asulfuric acid electro yte of such concentration as to be capable of recarbonaceous substances, said sulfurous acid to be returned to the battery.

4. A galvanic gas element, an oxygen depolarizer, a enerator comprisin a reducing as, nitrosy -sulfuric acid disso ved in sulric acid and an electrolyte of sulfuric acid of high concentration.

In testimony, my invention, presence of two that I claim the foregoing as I have signed my name in subscribing Witnesses.

ERNST WALDEMAR JUNGNEK. Witnesses:

T. Bone, Fnrrnror N YLIN. 

